Pfc. Alan Howard Newton, Jr.

Alan Howard Newton, Jr., age 26 of Star died Friday, October 2, 2009.Funeral services will be held Friday, October 9, 2009 at 2:00 pm at Big Oak Church of God with Rev. Billy Chriscoe officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery .Pfc. Newton grew up in Randolph County where he attended Seagrove Elementary School and graduated from Southwestern Randolph High School in 2002 where he was a member of the football team and JROTC. He enjoyed riding motorcycles, four-wheelers and going mud bogging. He also loved playing corn hole and video games. Pfc. Newton dearly loved spending time with his baby girl Riley and had a love for animals, especially dogs. He started his military career in 2003 as a Multiple Launch Rocket System Fire Direction Specialist in the North Carolina National Guard. In 2007 he transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve where he was a civil affairs specialist assigned to the 422nd Civil Affairs Battalion. Pfc. Newton's military awards include the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Bronze "M" Device, Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Army Service Ribbon. Posthumous awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Good Conduct Medal, NATO Medal, and the Combat Action BadgeHe is survived by his wife, Lisa Newton of Asheboro; daughter, Riley Newton of Asheboro; mother and step-father, Joyce and Randy Woodell of Star; father, Alan Newton, Sr. of Wilmington; sister, Christine Martin of Asheboro; grandfather, Dempsey Odom of Carolina Beach; grandmother, Carol Pettet of Wilmington; step grandmother, Rosie Simmons of Star; great grandmother, Dorothy Freeman of Robbins; several aunts, uncles and cousins.The family will receive friends Thursday from 6:00-9:00 pm at Pugh Funeral Home, 437 Sunset Avenue, Asheboro, NC. Memorials may be made to Humane Society of Randolph County, P.O. Box 4384, Asheboro, NC 27204.